Barnimer Land Cultural and technical attractions with lots of nature at the gates of Berlin

The Barnim Nature Park and the Barnimer Feldmark are Berlin's “green lungs” and easily accessible by train. One of the largest woodland areas in Central Europe is the Schorfheide. Its territory begins at the last train stop of the “Heidekrautbahn” in Groß Schönebeck. Discover unspoilt nature around the “Biesenthaler Becken” and the “Hellmühlfließ” during a hiking tour on the scenic hiking trail of the 66 lakes, or “66-Seen-Wanderweg”.

On a warm summer day, the big and crystal clear lakes appeal to swimmers: the Werbellinsee, one of Brandenburg’s clearest, largest, and deepest lakes – lovingly described by the poet Fontane as a “Fairyland”; or the Parsteiner See, the Liepnitzsee and the Wandlitzsee – all popular swimming destinations with excellent water quality.

Imagine getting on your bike and embarking on a journey along the Oder-Havel cycle path that takes you through history. The Finowkanal is Germany's oldest artificial waterway linking the rivers Oder and Havel. As you cycle alongside the water, you will discover old industrial monuments.
The Barnim-Dreieck-Tour (triangle tour) leads you past the industrial monuments and many other great attractions in the Barnimer Land, such as the Chorin Monastery. This bike route is made up of trail sections from three transregional cycling routes: the Berlin-Usedom-Radweg, the Tour Brandenburg, and the Oder-Havel-Radweg. Enjoy the beauty of nature to the full around Lake Werbellin - the view from the Biorama viewing platform in Joachimsthal or the Kaiserbahnhof railway station north of the lake will make your heart beat faster. The smell of freshly smoked fish at the Seewolf fishery will whet your appetite for a snack.

Visit the Askanierturm tower at the southern end of the lake or take a detour to Groß Schönebeck. In the Schorfheide Wildlife Park you can observe the local animals in their natural environment and test your limits in the Schorfheide Climbing Park.

Admittedly, the wolves and moose in the Schorfheide Wildlife Park are no giants, but you can experience them up close. Instead, 200-year-old giant trees spread out right next door in the Grumsin Beech Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Black moorland lakes and ponds, home to cranes, eagles and storks, lie between steep hills.
True giants can be found in the Ice Age Land Geopark. In the ‘Ice Age Experience’ exhibition, you can use interactive models to find out what life was like in the Ice Age and marvel at mammoths. And in the Niederfinow boat lift, two technical giants await you in Germany's oldest still-operating boat lift.